Deuteronomy 21:1
If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him:
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִמָּצֵ֣א
If one be found
H4672
יִמָּצֵ֣א
If one be found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֨ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
נֹתֵ֤ן
giveth
H5414
נֹתֵ֤ן
giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּ
thee to possess
H3423
לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּ
thee to possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
10 of 16
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
נֹפֵ֖ל
it lying
H5307
נֹפֵ֖ל
it lying
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
11 of 16
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נוֹדַ֖ע
and it be not known
H3045
נוֹדַ֖ע
and it be not known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
14 of 16
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Historical Context
In ancient societies without forensic science, many murders went unsolved. This law prevented cycles of accusation and revenge killing when evidence was insufficient to identify the actual murderer.
The ritual cleansing maintained social order while acknowledging corporate responsibility for pursuing justice and maintaining safe communities.
Questions for Reflection
- What does this law teach about corporate responsibility for evil in the community?
- How does murder defile not just individuals but the land itself?
- Why does God provide protocol for addressing unsolved crimes?
- What does corporate ritual cleansing reveal about communal aspects of sin and guilt?
- How should communities respond to evil when individual perpetrators cannot be identified?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him. This law addresses unsolved murders, recognizing that sometimes guilt cannot be determined despite investigation. God provides protocol for addressing community culpability even when individual perpetrator remains unknown.
The scenario found slain...and it be not known presents legal challenge - murder has occurred but investigation cannot identify the killer. Rather than leaving this unaddressed, God prescribes ritual acknowledging the evil while declaring community innocence if they acted properly.
This demonstrates that evil affects communities corporately, not just individuals directly involved. Unsolved murder pollutes the land and requires communal response even when specific guilt cannot be assigned.
The location in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee emphasizes that this is holy territory. Murder defiles God's land, requiring purification ritual to maintain covenant relationship between God, people, and land.